5.

The sons of GOD have found
Glory begun below;

Celestial fruits, on earthly ground,
From faith and hope may grow.

6.

Then let our sorrows cease,
And every tear be dry;

We're traveling through the paths of peace
To perfect bliss on high.

160. C. M..

The Comforts of Religion..

1.

WHEN gloomy thoughts and boding fears
The trembling heart invade,
And all the face of nature wears
A universal shade,-

2.

Religion's dictates can assuage

The tempest of the soul;

And every storm shall cease to rage,
At her divine control.

3.

Through life's bewilder'd, darksome way, Her hand unerring leads;

And o'er the path her heavenly ray

A cheering lustre sheds.

4.

When feeble reason, tir'd and blind,
Sinks helpless and afraid,

This blest supporter of the mind

Affords a powerful aid.

5.

Oh may our hearts confess her power,
And find a sweet relief,

To brighten every gloomy hour,

And soften every grief!

161. C. M.

The Advantage of seeking the Knowledge of God.

1.

SHINE forth, eternal Source of light!
Make thy perfections known;
Fill our enlarg'd, adoring sight,
With glories all thy own.

2.

To know the Author of our frame
Is our divinest skill:

True wisdom is to learn thy name;
True life, to do thy will.

3.

All wisdom else, compar'd with this,
Is little worth, and vain;
Who wants it, never tastes of bliss,
Though all beside he gain.

4.

For this may I unceasing pray,
This all my powers pursue,

Till vision of eternal day

Fix and complete the view.

162. P. M.

The unrivalled Beauty and Glory of Religion.

1.

SOFT are the fruitful showers that bring
The welcome promise of the spring,
And soft the vernal gale;

Sweet the wild warbling notes that rise
In grateful chorus to the skies,
And gladden every vale:

2.

But softer, in the mourner's ear,
Sounds the mild voice of mercy near,
That whispers sins forgiven;
And sweeter far the music swells,
When to the raptur'd soul she tells,
Of peace and promis'd heaven.

3.

Fair are the flowers that deck the ground;
And groves and gardens, blooming round,
Unnumber'd charms unfold;
Bright is the sun's meridian ray,
And bright the beams of setting day,
Which robe the clouds in gold:

4.

But far more fair the pious breast,
In richer robes of goodness drest,
Where heaven's own graces shine;
And brighter far the prospects rise,
Which burst on faith's delighted eyes
From glories all divine.

5.

All earthly charms, however dear,
Howe'er they please the eye or ear,
Will quickly fade and fly;

Of earthly glory faint the blaze,
And soon the transitory rays
In endless darkness die.

6.

The nobler beauties of the just
Shall never moulder in the dust,
Or know a sad decay;
Their honours time and death defy,
And round the throne of GOD on high
Beam everlasting day.

163. C. M.

Advantages of early Religion.

1.

HAPPY is he whose early years
Receive instruction well;

Who hates the sinner's path, and fears
The road which leads to hell.

2.

Youth when devoted to the LORD,
Is pleasing in his eyes;

A flower when offer'd in the bud
Is no vain sacrifice.

3.

'Tis easier work if we begin

To fear the LORD betimes;

While sinners who grow old in sin
Are harden'd by their crimes.

4.

It saves us from a thousand snares:
To mind religion young;

With joy it crowns succeeding years,
And makes our virtue strong.

5.

To thee Almighty GOD! to thee
Would we our hearts resign:
'Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.

6.

Oh may the work of prayer and praise
Employ our daily breath!

Thus we're prepar'd for future days,
Or fit for early death.

164. L. M.

A Conversation becoming the Gospel.

1.

WHEN Jesus, our great Master, came
To teach us in his Father's name,
In every act, in every thought,

He liv'd the precepts which he taught.

2.

So let our lips and lives express
The holy gospel we profess;

So let our works and virtue shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine.

3.

Thus shall we best proclaim abroad
The honour of Almighty God;
When his salvation reigns within,
And faith subdues the power of sin..